Building Your Own Care Services Team

It’s not uncommon for people with ALS and their family caregivers to shy away from the prospect of needing to rely on a home health aide or skilled nurse. Sometimes family caregivers think they are letting their loved one down if they can’t do it all themselves. For others, privacy and cost are common concerns.  

“Sometimes you get so caught up in caregiving, you forget that you need care yourself,” said Lindsay Konrad, RN, Director of Clinical Operations for the Adult Nursing Specialty Practice at BAYADA Home Health Care. “Physical care can test the limits of one’s strength while managing supplies, doctor visits and everything else can become overwhelming at times.”

A Matter of Timing

Knowing when you need support is an important first hurdle to cross.  Konrad suggests taking stock of the following:

• Is the caregiver or person with ALS physically unable to perform or assist with tasks such as bathing, getting in and out of bed, eating, or dressing?

• Has swallowing become difficult?

• Are falls a common occurrence?

• Is the caregiver fearful or uncomfortable with leaving their loved one home alone?

These are difficult questions to answer, but if you answered yes to one or more, considering the services of a home health aide or skilled nurse is a smart decision.

Finding a Caring Provider You Can Trust

Konrad warns those considering a home health care provider to beware of independent care providers who do not work for a licensed agency. Fraud is a serious issue in this industry. So how do you know if you’re making the right hiring decision? Do your homework,” advises Konrad.

Working with a licensed agency will allow you to best be able to verify important professional credentials. In fact, some insurance providers will only provide reimbursement for home care services associated with certified agencies.

Konrad notes other helpful resources for information to find a qualified homecare provider include seeking the advice of your local Home Care Association or Area Agency on Aging. Getting a general sense of the agency’s reputation in your area by asking around your social networks for recommendations is also a wise move.

Managing the Cost

Medicare covers short-term skilled nursing services for some people.  Private insurance typically covers limited skilled nursing care.  Although each state is different, Medicaid may cover ongoing skilled nursing or home health aide services for people with limited financial resources.  Some states provide Medicaid waivers for disabled persons, including those diagnosed with ALS.  Waivers extend Medicaid benefits to people who may not meet the traditional Medicaid eligibility criteria.  Konrad says, “People with ALS and their families should investigate the benefits available to them, including Medicaid waivers in their states.”

ALS is considered a service-connected condition. Veterans who have served at least 90 consecutive days in the military should consider turning to the Department of Veterans Affairs for the financial, medical, and health care support benefits they’ve earned.

 When considering private payment or out-of-pocket costs for home health aide services, Konrad, “strongly encourages families to recognize the value of the income and benefits associated with their job before quitting to care for a loved one with ALS.  In some cases, it may be more cost effective to continue working in order to keep their health insurance benefits.”

Additional Resources

If you’d like more information on this topic, The ALS Association invites you to listen to this webinar or to contact your local chapter for advice and support.

For additional information regarding BAYADA Home Health Care, visit http://www.bayada.com/als.